Randstad retail decline reshapes city centres into multifunctional hubs
Shops in the Randstad are disappearing as online shopping and changing consumer habits transform city centres. Residents may see fewer stores but more cafes, cultural spots, and housing, while daily essentials like supermarkets remain stable in neighbourhoods.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Region | Randstad (North Holland, South Holland, Utrecht) |
| Study | Randstad Shopping Flows Study 2025 |
| Conducted by | Ipsos I&O, Movares, Sweco |
| Retail decline | Fewer shops, especially in non-daily sectors (fashion, electronics) |
| Daily retail growth | Supermarkets expanding in many municipalities |
| Online shopping growth | Slower pace, but still rising in fashion, sports, and electronics |
| Tourism impact | Over 40% of hospitality spending linked to tourists |
| Vacancy pressure | Small centres and areas near large cities face higher vacancy rates |
| Symposium date | 12 March 2026 |
| Study availability | Koopstromen website |
The provinces of North Holland, South Holland, and Utrecht commissioned this study to assess retail trends and guide policy decisions. Their role involves fostering collaboration between municipalities, entrepreneurs, and property owners to revitalise city centres and adapt to changing consumer needs.
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Read the full translated article below
Retail offering in the Randstad is shrinking, city centres face transition
The number of shops in the Randstad is declining, even as the population continues to grow rapidly. This is evident from the Randstad Shopping Flows Study 2025, conducted in all municipalities in North Holland, South Holland and Utrecht on behalf of the three provinces. The study, carried out by Ipsos I&O, Movares and Sweco, shows that the retail sector has been in decline for years and that city centre areas are increasingly transforming from shopping districts into multifunctional meeting places with hospitality, culture and other facilities.
In recent years, entrepreneurs and consumers have faced major challenges. Following the coronavirus pandemic, the Netherlands had to contend with high inflation and declining consumer confidence. At the same time, shopping behaviour continued to change due to the growth of online shopping and shifting consumer preferences.
Fewer shops, different functions
The number of shops and total retail floor space in the Randstad has continued to decline, particularly in non-daily retail sectors such as fashion and electronics. The daily retail sector, including supermarkets, is growing in many municipalities. Meanwhile, small supermarkets in small centres are under pressure due to economies of scale and narrower margins.
Large and distinctive city centres are proving increasingly attractive to visitors. They are managing to increase their market share despite the decline in the number of shops. Medium-sized centres present a mixed picture. Here, the ability to stand out is becoming increasingly important.
City centre areas are changing
According to the study, the role of city centre areas is evolving. Whereas shops used to be the main draw, the focus is now increasingly on a mix of functions such as hospitality, culture, services and housing. Tourism also plays an important role: over 40% of hospitality spending in the Randstad is linked to tourist visitors.
Neighbourhood and district centres remain important for daily amenities. Here, supermarkets and other basic facilities ensure a stable position and relatively low vacancy rates.
Online shopping growth slows
Online shopping continues to grow, but at a slower pace than in previous years. In sectors such as fashion, sports and electronics, the share of online spending is still rising. In sectors such as home furnishings, DIY and daily retail, this share is stabilising.
Working together to strengthen city centres
The study shows that the Randstad’s amenities structure remains robust, but is under pressure in some places. Central shopping areas close to larger cities in particular are struggling to maintain their position. Investing in quality, collaboration between municipalities, entrepreneurs and property owners, and clear spatial choices therefore remain crucial.
The Randstad Shopping Flows Study 2025 provides the provinces with new insights to further optimise their efforts to support vital city centres and strengthen collaboration with all stakeholders.
Symposium on the Randstad Shopping Flows Study 2025
The study’s findings were presented at the Symposium on the Randstad Shopping Flows Study 2025 on 12 March 2026 at the South Holland provincial government building in The Hague. The symposium featured discussions on key trends, with experts and policymakers exploring the future of retail, hospitality and city centre areas in the Randstad. The event was organised by the provinces of South Holland, North Holland and Utrecht.
The study is available on the Koopstromen website external link.
For questions, please contact Marissa de Jong-Krul, spokesperson for the South Holland provincial government, at 06 15 64 31 65.
For press information: 06 42 47 30 33